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Fruits appear golden from the very start, turning to deep orange on maturity in time for Halloween carving and cooking. Thin each plant to three fruits to achieve weights of around 4kg (9lb) – the perfect carving size. The yellow gene can also cause the first true leaves to turn yellow in cold temperatures – don’t worry about this – celebrate it as an oddity!Sow seeds on their sides in small 7.5cm (3in) pots of seed compost at a depth of about 2.5cm (1in). Place them in a propagator or seal the pots inside a polythene bag at a temperature of 20°C (68°F) until germination, which takes 5-7 days. Once germinated, grow plants on for about 4 weeks until they are large enough to be transplanted outdoors.Gradually acclimatise them over 7-10 days before transplanting into warm, well drained, humus rich soil in full sun, with shelter from winds. Choose a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sun per day and prepare the soil in advance, adding plenty of well rotted manure or compost. Plant 90cm (3ft) apart. Pile the soil into mounds about 15cm (6in) high. Plant each pumpkin plant on top of a mound to ensure good drainage and keep them well watered until they are established. Feed of general fertiliser a few weeks after planting.

"This nearly fire-free habanero offers all the tasty tropicalflavour of a standard habanero, but without the burn. A fullyripe fruit is an amazing glowing orange colour and also has its most well-developed and complex flavour."Sow seed thinly on the surface of a good, free-draining compost. Cover with a fine sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. Place in a propagator at 25-30°C (77-86°F) for up to 30 days. Reduce to 20°C (68°F) once germinated, maintaining a minimum of 15°C (59°F) after pricking out. Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into 7.5cm (3in) pots.For Indoor Crops: Plant 2 plants per grow bag or individually into 20cm (8in) pots. For Outdoor Crops: Gradually acclimatise plants to outdoor conditions for 10-15 days before planting 45cm (18in) apart in moist, well-drained fertile soil in a sunny position. Plant in final situation from early June once frost risk has passed and protect from biting winds. Feed weekly with tomato fertiliser once first fruits have set.

Parsnip Tender & True is probably the best flavoured variety to use for both the kitchen and exhibition. Good canker resistance.For long parsnips you need a deeply dug soil which has been manured for a previous crop. However, they will do well on ordinary well drained and cultivated soil. Sow seeds April to June, 1cm (½ inch) deep in drills 30cm (12 inches) apart. Sow clusters of 4 seeds every 20cm (8 inches) and thin out to the strongest seedlings after germination. Germination is very slow and it is helpful to sow a pinch of lettuce seeds between each cluster of seeds. They will mark the row and can be cut before the parsnips need the room.Harvest the roots from autumn onwards, leaving them in the ground until required.

With larger bulbs than traditional spring onions and with strong pungency, this variety is ideal for adding a real ‘zing’ when used raw in salads and also when used in cooked dishes, stir fries and on mixed vegetable kebabs on the barbecue. Bulbs have pure white skin and flesh with high resistance to pink root. Leaves are dark green.The larger, mature bulbs lift and store well.Sow thinly, 13mm (½in) deep in drills 30cm, (12in) apart.No thinning should be necessary. Simply keep the ground free of weeds at all timesSERVING SUGGESTION: Strong pungency adds bite to salads.

A very popular variety, early to mature, compact and heavy yielding. The attractive fruits of Marrow Green Bush can be cut at 10-15cm (4-6in) as courgettes or left to mature as marrows. Excellent eaten lightly cooked, freshly picked or suitable for autumn storage.Sow seeds singly in mid spring 1cm (1/2in) deep in 7.5cm (3in) pots of moist compost. Germination usually takes 7-10 days at 21-24C (70-75F).Gradually acclimatise the plants to outdoor conditions before planting out after all risk of frost has passed in rich moist well drained soil.Keep the soil moist, water regularly especially in dry weather and give liquid feed every 14 days when the fruits start to swell.

The smallest lettuce. A compact, solid butterhead type with deliciously soft leaves just right for small families or restricted space. Lettuce Butterhead Tom Thumb can be grown as close as 15cm (6in.) apart and makes a useful early crop in a cold frame or cloches. Very fast growing, from an early spring Butterhead Tom Thumb will be the first variety to harvest.Sow seeds thinly from March to late April 6mm (¼in) deep in drills 15cm (6in) apart. A moist, well drained, fertile soil which has had plenty of compost dug in the previous autumn is best.As soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle, thin out gradually to 15cm (6in.) apart.To test whether the heads are ready to harvest, press them gently with the back of the hand, they will feel solid and barely yield to pressure.